ABT vs. MS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on October 7, 2025

Here’s a clear look at ABT and MS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	ABT	MS
Company Name	Abbott Laboratories	Morgan Stanley
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Health Care	Financials
GICS Industry	Health Care Equipment & Supplies	Capital Markets
Market Capitalization	234.25 billion USD	251.57 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	March 17, 1980	February 23, 1993
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ABT and MS by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

ABT vs. MS: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	ABT	MS
5-Day Price Return	1.11%	-2.22%
13-Week Price Return	0.11%	9.33%
26-Week Price Return	1.46%	35.07%
52-Week Price Return	18.44%	50.78%
Month-to-Date Return	0.49%	-0.86%
Year-to-Date Return	18.99%	25.35%
10-Day Avg. Volume	5.68M	5.11M
3-Month Avg. Volume	6.17M	5.28M
3-Month Volatility	23.21%	17.88%
Beta	0.73	1.23

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

ABT

29.93%

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max: 29.93%
Q3: 16.99%
Median: 9.28%
Q1: 5.10%
Min: -12.52%

In the upper quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, ABT’s Return on Equity of 29.93% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

MS

13.95%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 38.97%
Q3: 22.24%
Median: 13.52%
Q1: 8.61%
Min: -4.25%

MS’s Return on Equity of 13.95% is on par with the norm for the Capital Markets industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

ABT vs. MS: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

ABT

32.43%

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max: 24.41%
Q3: 13.71%
Median: 10.08%
Q1: 5.96%
Min: -5.58%

ABT’s Net Profit Margin of 32.43% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.

MS

13.06%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 69.91%
Q3: 37.24%
Median: 24.30%
Q1: 13.06%
Min: -15.18%

MS’s Net Profit Margin of 13.06% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Capital Markets industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

ABT vs. MS: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

ABT

17.34%

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max: 31.09%
Q3: 18.11%
Median: 15.07%
Q1: 8.48%
Min: -0.28%

ABT’s Operating Profit Margin of 17.34% is around the midpoint for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

MS

17.07%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 84.86%
Q3: 47.16%
Median: 32.23%
Q1: 18.65%
Min: -21.87%

MS’s Operating Profit Margin of 17.07% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

ABT vs. MS: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	ABT	MS
Return on Equity (TTM)	29.93%	13.95%
Return on Assets (TTM)	17.41%	1.15%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	32.43%	13.06%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	17.34%	17.07%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	56.20%	54.42%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

ABT

1.82

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max: 5.19
Q3: 3.00
Median: 2.13
Q1: 1.44
Min: 0.86

ABT’s Current Ratio of 1.82 aligns with the median group of the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

MS

0.29

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 3.37
Q3: 1.81
Median: 1.01
Q1: 0.56
Min: 0.04

For the Capital Markets industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

ABT vs. MS: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

ABT

0.27

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max: 1.61
Q3: 0.76
Median: 0.45
Q1: 0.14
Min: 0.00

ABT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.27 is typical for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

MS

7.68

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 6.52
Q3: 2.79
Median: 0.96
Q1: 0.28
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Capital Markets industry.

ABT vs. MS: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

ABT

38.30

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max: 56.35
Q3: 25.56
Median: 9.60
Q1: 3.78
Min: -26.49

ABT’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 38.30 is in the upper quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

MS

1.25

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 107.59
Q3: 48.41
Median: 10.85
Q1: 4.56
Min: -36.26

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Capital Markets industry.

ABT vs. MS: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	ABT	MS
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.82	0.29
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.14	0.29
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.27	7.68
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	38.30	1.25

Growth

Revenue Growth

ABT vs. MS: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

ABT vs. MS: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

ABT

1.70%

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max: 4.15%
Q3: 1.76%
Median: 0.79%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

ABT’s Dividend Yield of 1.70% is consistent with its peers in the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

MS

2.54%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 9.02%
Q3: 4.54%
Median: 2.55%
Q1: 1.27%
Min: 0.00%

MS’s Dividend Yield of 2.54% is consistent with its peers in the Capital Markets industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

ABT vs. MS: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

ABT

28.42%

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max: 160.00%
Q3: 66.60%
Median: 27.49%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

ABT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 28.42% is within the typical range for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

MS

43.20%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 199.38%
Q3: 99.28%
Median: 60.67%
Q1: 32.00%
Min: 0.00%

MS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 43.20% is within the typical range for the Capital Markets industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

ABT vs. MS: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	ABT	MS
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.70%	2.54%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	28.42%	43.20%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

ABT

16.75

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max: 67.29
Q3: 47.01
Median: 30.94
Q1: 23.91
Min: 10.79

In the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, ABT’s P/E Ratio of 16.75 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

MS

16.98

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 51.69
Q3: 29.42
Median: 17.58
Q1: 12.55
Min: 5.59

MS’s P/E Ratio of 16.98 is within the middle range for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

ABT vs. MS: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

ABT

5.43

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max: 9.49
Q3: 5.41
Median: 2.86
Q1: 2.07
Min: 0.74

ABT’s P/S Ratio of 5.43 is in the upper echelon for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

MS

2.22

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 14.65
Q3: 7.29
Median: 4.53
Q1: 2.26
Min: 0.04

In the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, MS’s P/S Ratio of 2.22 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.

ABT vs. MS: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

ABT

4.68

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max: 10.85
Q3: 6.56
Median: 3.53
Q1: 2.36
Min: 0.71

ABT’s P/B Ratio of 4.68 is within the conventional range for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

MS

2.08

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 10.83
Q3: 5.12
Median: 2.66
Q1: 1.19
Min: 0.37

MS’s P/B Ratio of 2.08 is within the conventional range for the Capital Markets industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

ABT vs. MS: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	ABT	MS
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	16.75	16.98
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.43	2.22
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	4.68	2.08
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	34.56	11.40